Health Insurance & HMO Coverage:

Most health insurance plans DO cover my services under "Mental & Behavioral Health" services.

Unfortunately, some plans have poor mental health coverage, or don't cover any counseling, or only cover a specific provider.

Some plans have a HUGE deductible, leaving you responsible for 100% of your bill until you meet that deductible, and only then do they cover any of the charge.

Note: Some plans don't cover "marriage counseling", but almost always cover when billed as "family therapy".

I recommend you CALL the # on the back of your insurance card and ask:
  • What are my mental health benefits? 
  • Can I see MARK YOUNG, LMSW, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker ?
  • What is my DEDUCTIBLE?  What is my COPAY each visit?
  • How of my deductible have I met this year?
Some Health Plans I am IN-Network for & work with often:
  • MESSA & WEA (usually 90% coverage; school system employees)
  • UMR / COFINITY
  • FEDERAL Blue Cross (ex., VA employees, Postal workers)
  • CIGNA (Note: Louisiana Pacific & ISP Mineral have EAP programs*)
  • Upper Peninsula Health Plan (UPHP) (MiChild only covers Catholic Social Svcs - (906)774.3323)
  • AETNA, HUMANA, HealthEOS, WPPN, & others

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS (EAP)
       Some employers offer FREE EAP counseling employees and Family Members. EAP programs usually have an 800 number (check backside of insurance card. These usually allow 3 to 6 visits at no charge to you.

Just call the EAP # (no info. is shared with employers), and they give you an authorization number to bring to counseling. If you need additional counseling, you can still utilize your health insurace benefits.

SOME EAP Programs in our area at this time of writing (July 2009):
  • Dickinson County Hospital (DCHS)
  • Louisiana Pacific (LP)
  • Verso Paper
  • US Postal Service
  • FedEx (some)
Keep in mind, if you or a family member uses EAP services for counseling today, and another totally different problem/concern arises for you or your family later in the year, you area usually entitled to the same number of EAP visits for them.

If you find your insurance policy does NOT cover, consider the following:
  • I, and several other counselors give under-insured /clients without coverage a large discount for payment at time of visit.
  • Consider writing your HR / person in charge of purchasing insurance for employees (whether signed or anonymous) and explain the poor coverage for mental health needs, and how it is affecting you.  Urge them to purchase healthcare coverage for employees that INCLUDES good mental health coverage. Many times they aren't aware of the poor coverage (ex., many employers provide a BCBS plan that only covers clinics w/ doctors on-site to sign charts, resulting in much fewer options, since most providers, like me, possess a Masters degree.
  • Consider writing your congressman/woman & complaining.
  • Catholic Social Services (906)774-3323 offers a sliding fee scale
  • Northpointe (906)774-0522 offers 24/7 emergency coverage for our community (Dickinson-Iron-Menominee counties); ADAPT covers Marinette County similarly. When in doubt, dial 911 for any emergency.
  • If you really want to see ME and can't even afford the discounted rate, I make some additional discount/concessions for persons doing extensive volunteer work in the community... I believe in "Pay it Forward"!    :-)
-- Mark
(c). Mark R. Young Inc.